Fishing.

Several pristine blue-ribbon trout streams surround Butte providing world-class angling opportunity. Within an hour’s drive, visitors can be casting on the banks of the Big Hole, Beaverhead, Jefferson, Clark Fork, and Little Blackfoot rivers. Visitors can hike to alpine lakes in Anaconda-Pintler Wilderness, Tobacco Root, Pioneer, Flint ranges, or venture further afield to the Missouri, Madison, and Blackfoot rivers. Several public fishing-access sites make getting out on the water a breeze. Kids can cast a line at the fishing pond at Skyline Park or at Homestake Lake just 10 minutes east of Butte on Interstate-90. Ice fishing opportunities are plentiful with Georgetown Lake being a local favorite. Grab your fishing pole and impress your friends with your day's haul in the home of some of the world's finest fishing!

A valid fishing license is required for all types of fishing on state waters. To fish in Montana, most anglers need two licenses: a Conservation License and a Fishing License. A fishing license allows a person to fish for and possess any fish or aquatic invertebrate authorized by the state's fishing regulations. It is nontransferable and nonrefundable. The license enables one to fish from March 1 through the end of February of the following year. Visit Fish, Wildlife, & Parks for more information.

Map of Fishing Locations

Click a marker for more recreation area information.

Leave No Trace Seven Principles

The Seven Principles of Leave No Trace were developed to help educate and guide recreationists in sustainable minimum impact practices that mitigate or avoid recreation-related impacts. Each Principle covers a specific topic and provides detailed information for minimizing impacts. Visit the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics for more information.

1. Plan Ahead and Prepare

Learn about specific regulations and issues on this particular river.

Use a knowledgable guide on new rivers. Use a river guidebook and map to plan your trip.

3. Dispose of Waste Properly

Check local regulations for guidelines on waste disposal since there are a number of possible recommendations.

Cat holes quickly convert a campsite into a litter box. Use of a portable toilet is mandatory in many river corridors. Packing out all feces and toilet paper ensures no impact.

Liquid waste is usually dumped in the main current of high volume rivers and allowed to dilute as it is washed downstream. Along small rivers, scattering liquid waste at least 200 feet from shore is preferred.

Using a tarp as the kitchen floor is helpful to catch food and trash. This is not much of a burden in a watercraft and minimizes the food bits that can attract animals.

4. Leave What You Find

Waterways were the highways of early inhabitants. Ancient structures, artifacts, and rock art are abundant along rivers. Be sure to leave them undisturbed.

Prevent the spread of non-native species by thoroughly cleaning equipment after a water trip and properly disposing of live bait.

Preserve the past: examine, but do not touch cultural or historic structures and artifacts.

Leave rocks, plants and other natural objects as you find them.

Avoid introducing or transporting non-native species.

Do not build structures, furniture, or dig trenches.

5. Minimize Campfire Impacts

Campfires can cause lasting impacts to the environment. Use a lightweight stove for cooking and enjoy a candle lantern for light.

Where fires are permitted, use established fire rings, fire pans, or mound fires.

Keep fires small. Only use sticks from the ground that can be broken by hand.

Burn all wood and coals to ash, put out campfires completely, then scatter cool ashes.

6. Respect Wildlife

Water is a critical resource for wildlife. Give wildlife plenty of room.

Observe wildlife from a distance. Do not follow or approach them.

Never feed animals. Feeding wildlife damages their health, alters natural behaviors, and exposes them to predators and other dangers.